A stern statement from Minister Işıkhan regarding the SGK debts of municipalities.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Plan and Budget Commission gathered to discuss the 2026 budget. In this commission, Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan made important statements regarding the debts of municipalities to the Social Security Institution (SGK). Minister Işıkhan criticized the discomfort felt by some municipalities, particularly regarding the collection of SGK debts.

In a session where members of parliament asked about the total debt of municipalities and their affiliated institutions to SGK, Minister Işıkhan announced that as of August 2025, this debt amounted to 234.2 billion lira. This figure once again brought the issues of financial discipline in Turkey's municipalities to the forefront.

Minister Işıkhan emphasized that "they are uncomfortable with every step we take to collect the SGK debt," highlighting that the steps taken to reduce municipalities' debts are not well received by some groups. Işıkhan underscored the necessity of diagnosing the municipalities' debts and restructuring them, stressing the importance of protecting the social security rights of the public.

Pointing out that municipalities need to make their financial structures sustainable, the Minister stated that ensuring financial discipline and regulating debts would enhance public trust in public services. It was noted that efforts would continue to provide sufficient support to municipalities and to restructure their debts.

Additionally, Minister Işıkhan expressed that certain regulations included in SGK's budget could represent an opportunity to reduce these debts. Therefore, he conveyed the message that municipalities need to take more steps to fulfill their financial obligations.

As a result, these discussions about municipal debts bring forth debates regarding the financial sustainability of local administrations in Turkey. As public sensitivity to this issue increases day by day, Minister Işıkhan's statements highlight the urgent need for reforms and regulations to be implemented in this area.